100 Drone Incidents Exposing Security Risks and Shaping Counter-Drone Strategies and Solutions

As drones continue to proliferate, they present a growing and complex set of security challenges. For the past 100 weeks, we’ve spotlighted notable incidents from D-Fend’s comprehensive Drone Attack & Incident Tracker, compiled from public domain sources. These spotlights expose vulnerabilities across diverse sectors and reveal emerging trends that stress the urgent need for effective counter-drone solutions and strategic responses.

This blog recaps some of the 100 standout, spotlighted incidents – featuring the most audacious attacks, dangerous collisions or near misses, persistent threats, and unusual occurrences. These examples shed light on how such events are reshaping the current drone threat landscape and influencing the future of counter-drone security.

Top 5 Most Audacious Drone Attacks

Drone operators are becoming bolder and drone attacks more dangerous. Here are five of the most daring drone incidents that demonstrate just how audacious and dangerous these incidents can be.

1. An attacker who targeted law enforcement with drones in Arizona received a 26-year sentence (Spotlight 70, Dec 20, 2021).
2. An explosive-laden drone landed on the roof of La Roca maximum security prison in Ecuador, where some of the country’s most notorious drug lords are held (Spotlight 45, Sep 12, 2023).
3. Langley Air Force Base in Virginia faced mysterious drone swarm incursions raising significant security concerns (Spotlight 72, Dec 6, 2023).
4. Guerrillas targeted soldiers by dropping a grenade from a drone onto a soccer field in Columbia, tragically killing a 10-year-old boy and injuring six others (Spotlight 92, Jul 24, 2024).
5. In an “accidental attack”, Russian forces inadvertently shot down their own drone using a DJI Mavic during an operation (Spotlight 94, Aug 20, 2024).

Top 5 Drone Near-Misses in the Sky at Airports

As airport airspace becomes more crowded with planes and drones, the potential for collisions also increases. Incidents involving both civilian and military aircraft support the need for improved counter-drone safety measures and greater awareness in airspace management.

1. The crew of Spirit Airlines Flight 1304 spotted a drone flying 300 feet below them while approaching Baltimore/Washington International, Maryland’s busiest airport (Spotlight 6, Dec 4, 2022).
2. An Emirates Airbus A380 sustained wing damage after colliding with a drone during its approach to Nice Airport (Spotlight 42, Aug 18, 2023).
3. A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying up to 264 passengers, narrowly avoided a collision with a drone just minutes after taking off from Heathrow Airport  (Spotlight 60, Sep 12, 2023).
4. An Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon collided with a drone while on approach to land at Manching military airport in Germany (Spotlight 82 May 22, 2024).
5. A £10 million RAF jet, used to transport VIPs, including Royals, narrowly avoided a collision with a drone at an altitude of 2,200 feet while landing at RAF Brize Norton (Spotlight 98, Jun 19, 2024).

Top 5 Airport Disruptions Due to Drones

Disruptions from unauthorized drone activity at airports lead to operational challenges and financial repercussions. These incidents can result in temporary runway and terminal closures, causing flight delays, diversions and cancellations that significantly impact airlines and passengers. The following incidents demonstrate the profound effects of unauthorized drone incursions on air travel:

1. Multiple drone sightings at Dublin Airport led to hours of flight delays, many diversions and cancellations throughout early 2023 (Spotlights 12,13 and 20, Jan-Mar 2023).
2. A drone near the runway at Madrid-Barajas Airport delayed grounded flights for an hour (Spotlight 22, Mar 26, 2023).
3. Operations at Pittsburgh International Airport, PA were suspended for approximately 30 minutes due to reports of an unauthorized drone sighting on the northern section of the airfield (Spotlight 31, Jun 5, 2023).
4. A drone sighting at Frankfurt Airport caused flight cancellations and delays, including a 40-minute complete shutdown and 20 canceled flights (Spotlight 48, Sep 28, 2023).
5. An unauthorized drone sighting at Jeju International Airport, halted operations for 48 minutes, caused delays of up to two hours, cancellations, and diversions for 30 flights during the busy Chuseok holiday (Spotlight 97, Sep 13, 2024).

Top 5 Drone Threats at Critical Infrastructure

The vulnerability of critical infrastructure from power plants to bridges from drone incursions poses a significant risk to public safety and national security. The following incidents underscore the need for heightened security measures and counter-drone solutions across essential facilities.

1. A delivery drone carrying blood vials crashed onto the Metro track in Delhi causing panic and disruptions (Spotlight 9, Dec 25, 2022).
2. Suspicious drones were spotted hovering over Barsebäck nuclear power plant and Malmö airport (Spotlight 71, Mar 9, 2024).
3. An inexperienced pilot crashed a 1-meter drone on the Gayang Bridge in Seoul (Spotlight 84, Jun 15, 2024).
4. A SpaceX tourist flew an unauthorized drone over the launch site in Texas (Spotlight 90, Jul 20, 2024).
5. Illegal drone activity was reported around BP Cherry Point Refinery in Washington (Spotlight 93, Aug 9, 2024).

Top 5 ISR and Espionage Drone Incidents

The expansion of drone technology has led to an increased potential for nefarious intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activities. These incidents emphasize the potentially dangerous nature of drone capabilities and the need for counter-drone solutions to mitigate these threats.

1. The Texas Department of Public Safety is confronted by drone incursions as criminal groups from Mexico scout for illegal immigration spots. (Spotlight #15, Jan 18, 2023).
2. A drone flew over the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered supercarrier, while docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base. The drone flew across the carrier’s deck, with the episode captured on video and circulated on social media platforms. (Spotlight #80, May 9, 2024).
3. A Chinese national used a drone to photograph the Newport News Shipyard in Virginia, which was actively manufacturing aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.(Spotlight #83, Jan 6, 2024).
4. The gunman who attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump, used a drone to scout the Butler Farm Show grounds before the rally in Pennsylvania (Spotlight #89, Jul 13, 2024).
5. Drones used to track Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border in an attempt to avoid detection while smuggling migrants (Spotlight #99, Sep 12, 2024).

Top 5 Drone Interference Incidents at Sporting Events

Drones continue to disrupt major sporting events, threatening the safety of players and fans. These incidents highlight the increasing need for drone counter-drone solutions and enforcement at large venues.

1. In the 7^th inning of a Dodger-Padres playoff game at Petco Park in San Diego, CA, a drone dipped near the playing field, causing umpires to halt the game for several minutes. (Spotlight 3, Oct 15, 2022).
2. Southampton and Aston Villa’s Premier League match at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England was delayed and all players removed from the field because of a rogue drone (Spotlight 11, Jan 21, 2023).
3. Federal charges were filed against a man who violated restricted airspace by flying a drone near Globe Life Field during Game 4 of the 2023 ALCS between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros in Arlington, TX (Spotlight 85, Oct 19, 2023).
4. Unauthorized drones at Baltimore, MD’s M&T Bank Stadium spotlighted twice! First, drones caused two delays during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL game (Spotlight 54, Nov 16, 2023,)
5. Then again an unauthorized drone prompted the NFL to pause the AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens (Spotlight 65, Jan 28, 2024).

Top 5 Drone Incidents at Entertainment Venues and other Public Spaces

Entertainment venues and public spaces are increasingly becoming settings for drone-related incidents, posing risks to crowds and performers alike.

1. Despite Disneyland’s no-fly zone, guests and staff witnessed an unauthorized drone crash into bushes at Frontierland. in Anaheim, CA (Spotlight 17, Feb 26, 2023).
2. During a live concert at the cultural fest of Vellore Institute of Technology in Chennai, Bollywood singer Benny Dayal was injured when a drone hit the back of his head. (Spotlight 19, Mar 3, 2023)
3. Police arrested an individual on arson and mischief charges for launching fireworks from a drone in Quebec (Spotlight 24, Apr 14, 2023)
4. Green Day’s concert at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI was interrupted and the band rushed off stage due to safety concerns after a drone was spotted flying over the venue (Spotlight 96, Sep 4, 2024).
5. A drone dropped an unknown substance on homes and vehicles in Ayr, Ontario (Spotlight 95, Aug 27, 2024).

Top 3 Privacy Invasion Incidents

As drone technology becomes more accessible, incidents of privacy invasion have surged—raising alarming questions about personal security in the age of ubiquitous aerial surveillance. The following spotlighted incidents illustrate this pressing issue.

1. Residents and staff at Eliada Children’s Home in Asheville, North Carolina were forced indoors after drones harassed children and therapy horses. The drones recorded students’ sessions and taunted employees in an egregious breach of privacy  (Spotlight 7, Dec 17, 2022).
2. Marvel Studios shot down rogue drones that invaded the privacy of their locations during  Filming of “Secret Invasion” Series in England (Spotlight 34, Jun 21, 2023).
3. Unauthorized drone photography over two elementary schools in NY’s Bethlehem district prompted legal action (Spotlight 51, Oct 12, 2023).

Top 3 Most Unusual Drone Incidents

In addition to the more serious security threats, drones have also been involved in a variety of unusual incidents that capture public attention. These examples highlight the unpredictable outcomes of drone misuse.

1. To boost his business, a NJ business owner used a drone to contaminate pools with a damaging chemical (Spotlight #44, August 13, 2023).
2. Police at HMP Wandsworth attempted to intercept a drug-smuggling drone near the prison, but it landed in a tree, was knocked out by firefighters, and picked up by an urban fox that ate some of the drugs (Spotlight 67, Feb 11, 2024).
3. A 15 kg delivery drone, carrying 5 kg of frozen chicken, struck a TV antenna on a house before crashing to the ground in Gurugram (Spotlight 68, Feb 16, 2024).

The Bigger Picture

Reflecting on these 100 drone incidents reveals several key trends:

• Global Reach: Unauthorized drone activities span multiple countries and continents, making it a global concern.
• Diverse Sectors Affected: From prisons (leading the list with 29 spotlights) to airports (coming in a close second at 23 incidents), stadiums and arenas (at 14), military, critical infrastructure to community and neighborhood and more—no sector is immune.
• Evolving Tactics: Rogue drone operators are becoming increasingly sophisticated, constantly adapting to evade detection and countermeasures.
• Privacy Under Siege: Drones are reshaping notions of privacy and personal security.
• ISR Proliferation: ISR capabilities, once limited to military use, are now accessible to a wide range of actors.

As these incidents demonstrate, the drone threat landscape is not static. New challenges emerge as technology evolves, and adversaries become more sophisticated. The future of counter-drone security lies in staying a drone threat ahead—leveraging advanced technologies, real-time data, and adaptable strategies. By sharing these insights, we aim to foster a better understanding of the evolving risks and advocate for stronger, more effective counter-drone measures that can enable a flourishing drone-powered society, yet effectively defend against rogue drone threats.